Diesel Cafe is a welcoming destination in Somerville, Massachusetts, bringing together high-end coffee, a great tea selection, and thoughtfully varied dining in a hip, industrial space. Whether you are stopping in for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dessert, or simply a quick bite, the menu includes healthy options, organic dishes, and vegan and vegetarian choices.
Its relaxed setting makes it well suited to casual meals, solo dining, and time spent working on a laptop, while pool tables add an enjoyable feature for customers looking to stay awhile.
With outdoor seating, dine-in service, takeaway, delivery, and on-site services, Diesel Cafe offers flexible ways to enjoy its food and drinks. Guests can also make reservations when planning ahead. The cafe provides Wi-Fi and free Wi-Fi, along with table service, seating, and restrooms that include gender-neutral toilets.
Customers can pay by credit card, debit card, or NFC mobile payment, making visits convenient from ordering through checkout.
Accessibility is an important part of the customer experience at Diesel Cafe, with a wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating, toilet, and car park. Known for its casual, cozy, lively, and trendy atmosphere, the cafe has earned a 4.40 out of 5 rating from 1,409 customer reviews.
Located at 257 Elm St, Somerville, MA 02144, Diesel Cafe is a convenient choice for quality coffee, tea, and approachable food throughout the day. For more information or to make arrangements, call +1 617-629-8717.
Popular Items
Frequently ordered and highly recommended items at Diesel Cafe
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
Intelligentsia's Frequency Blend
Intelligentsia's Frequency Blend
Intelligentsia's Frequency Blend with steamed milk
Intelligentsia's Frequency Blend with steamed milk
Steamed milk from Highlawn Farms is sometimes all you need. Try it with vanilla!
Intelligentsia's Frequency Blend with sweetened condensed milk
Intelligentsia's Frequency Blend with sweetened condensed milk
A blend of traditional Indian spices and brisk black tea, our Organic Masala Chai is prepared with steamed milk and just enough sugar to bring out the spice’s intricacies.
A blend of traditional Indian spices and brisk black tea, our Organic Masala Chai is prepared with steamed milk and just enough sugar to bring out the spice’s intricacies.
Intelligentsia's Black Cat Classic espresso with some hot water. Pretend you're an American abroad.
Intelligentsia's Black Cat Classic is a syrupy and sweet espresso blend that has been the staple of our lineup since the very beginning. It is a product of intensive lot selection and close, direct work with the farmers who produce its components. Supreme balance and a wonderful sweetness make this a classic.
Intelligentsia's Black Cat Classic espresso with a touch of steamed milk from Highlawn Farms.
Intelligentsia's Black Cat Classic espresso with 2 ounces of steamed milk from Highlawn Farms.
Intelligentsia's Black Cat Classic espresso with 6 ounces of steamed milk from Highlawn Farms.
Intelligentsia's Black Cat Classic espresso with 10 ounces of steamed milk from Highlawn Farms.
Intelligentsia's Black Cat Classic espresso with 10 ounces of steamed milk from Highlawn Farms and vanilla syrup.
Intelligentsia's Black Cat Classic espresso with 10 ounces of steamed milk from Highlawn Farms and some sweetened condensed milk.
Intelligentsia's Black Cat Classic espresso with 10 ounces of steamed milk from Highlawn Farms and some house-made chocolate syrup.
Intelligentsia's Black Cat Classic espresso with 10 ounces of steamed milk from Highlawn Farms and some house-made caramel syrup. *not vegan
House made coconut cardamom syrup, two shots of espresso and your choice of milk!
House made Honey Lavender syrup, 2 shots of Black Cat Espresso & your choice of milk!
Fresh strawberry syrup and vanilla syrup with two shots of Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso & your choice of milk!
This matcha was carefully stone-ground to preserve the delicate aroma and flavor. Naturally sweet, we brew it with just enough sugar to accentuate the flavors, and steam it up with soy milk.
House made from Dutch cocoa powder, combined with your choice of milk, it makes an incredibly rich cup of hot chocolate.
A decadent and warming beverage! A mixture of our house made chocolate, house made caramel, and house made vanilla swirled together with perfectly steamed milk!
Featuring Spirit Tea and Kilogram Tea Spirit Tea is an American tea importer dedicated to preserving the integrity of tea from cultivation to preparation, infusion, and experience. - Kilogram is an American tea company sourcing fresh and compelling teas reflecting peaks of season, land and process. All teas are made to order
Intelligentsia's Frequency Blend iced.
Intelligentsia's Frequency Blend iced.
Intelligentsia’s Black Cat Classic espresso, served over ice.
Intelligentsia’s Black Cat Classic espresso, served with ice and water.
A blend of traditional Indian spices and brisk black tea, Kilogram’s Organic Masala Chai is prepared with cold Highlawn Farms milk and just enough sugar to bring out the spice’s intricacies. Make it vegan with a non-dairy milk!
A blend of traditional Indian spices and brisk black tea, Kilogram’s Organic Masala Chai is prepared with cold Highlawn Farms milk and just enough sugar to bring out the spice’s intricacies. Make it vegan with a non-dairy milk!
This matcha was carefully stone-ground to preserve the delicate aroma and flavor. Naturally sweet, we brew it with just enough sugar to accentuate the flavors, and steam it up with soy milk.
House made coconut cardamom, two shots of espresso and your choice of milk!
Intelligentsia’s Black Cat Classic espresso mixed with Highlawn Farms milk and house-made chocolate syrup. Make it vegan with a non-dairy milk!
Fresh Strawberry & Vanilla with two shots of Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso & your choice of milk!
House made Honey Lavender syrup, 2 shots of Black Cat Espresso & your choice of milk over ice!
Intelligentsia’s Black Cat Classic espresso mixed with Highlawn Farms milk and vanilla syrup. Make it vegan with a non-dairy milk!
Intelligentsia's Black Cat Classic espresso with 10 ounces of milk from Highlawn Farms and some sweetened condensed milk.
Brewed iced Frequency Blend with sweetened condensed milk. Sweet and decadent, a Diesel classic that will have wanting more and more!
Brewed iced Frequency Blend with sweetened condensed milk. Sweet and decadent, a Diesel classic that will have wanting more and more!
Intelligentsia's Black Cat Classic espresso with 10 ounces of steamed milk and house-made caramel.
Kilogram tea served over ice. We always have the Classic Iced Tea (a bold and flavorful black tea kissed with bergamot), and serve other seasonal options.
Kilogram tea served over ice. We always have the Classic Iced Tea (a bold and flavorful black tea kissed with bergamot), and serve other seasonal options.
Fresh-made strawberry with freshly squeezed lemonade.
Fresh Squeezed Lemonade
Fresh Squeezed Lemonade and Black Iced Tea
Fresh Squeezed Lemonade and Black Iced Tea
Highlawn Farms milk from right here in MA!
Variety of flavors to choose from!
Open Water is the healthy, eco-friendly way to stay hydrated throughout your daily adventures. Made from high quality, shatter-resistant aluminum, with a screw cap, our still water is perfectly designed to fit into your gym bag, your cup holder, and your day. 100% recyclable and carbon neutral.
Our Seasonal Scone!
Made with our croissant dough, filled with a matcha filling, and topped with matcha.
These naturally leavened bagels come straight from our sister cafe, Forge Baking Company! Baked fresh every morning!
Cold-smoked Lox, Cucumber, Tomato, Sprouts & Plain Cream Cheese *Consuming raw or undercooked meat seafood, shellfish, poultry, or egg may increase your risk for foodborne illness.
Avocado on Toast topped with Olive Oil, Salt & Pepper
Egg, Cheddar, Ham, Garlic Mayo & Spinach
Dijonnaise, Egg, Cheddar & Spinach
Maple Butter, Chicken Sausage, Egg & Cheddar
Pesto, Egg, Cheese, Tomato, Roasted Onion & Spinach
2 eggs, cheddar, black beans, jalapeno crema, salsa, avocado & spinach on a wrap
Dijonnaise, Avocado, Turkey, Cheddar, Sprouts, Tomato & Greens
Turkey, Bacon, Tomato, Sriracha Mayo & Greens
Avocado, Bacon, Tomato, Garlic Mayo & Greens
Roasted Tofu, Avocado, Tempeh Bacon, Tomato, Sriracha Mayo & Greens
Ham, Dijonnaise, Tomato, Red Onion, Sprouts & Greens
Chili Crisp Cream Cheese, Red onion,Tempeh Bacon, Cucumbers Sprouts & Greens
Greens, Roasted Onion, Tomato, Cucumber, Avocado, Sprouts, with Champagne Vinaigrette and Choice of Protein
Peanut butter, banana, cocoa, oat milk, maple syrup
Peanut butter, banana, strawberry, oat milk
Mango, banana, pineapple, coconut, coconut milk
Mango, banana, orange juice, coconut milk
Strawberry, banana, pineapple, coconut milk
Spinach, banana, pineapple, matcha, orange juice, oat milk
An enticing combo of Intelligentsia's Black Cat Espresso, our house-made vanilla ice cream, and whole milk. A coffee-lovers dream!
Do you love chocolate? Well then this is the perfect drink for you! Intelligentsia's Black Cat Espresso, our house-made vanilla ice cream, house-made chocolate syrup, and whole milk all blended together for a delicious treat!
Our Caramel slide is a combination of our Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso, house-made caramel, house-made vanilla ice cream, and milk! A delectable treat with an energizing kick!
One scoop of ice cream with two shots of espresso on top
Our classic milkshake with Matcha from MEM Tea.
One scoop of vanilla ice cream in a cold glass of root beer.
Made with love at our little sister store Forge Ice Cream
Caramel, Honeydew, Grape
Cocoa, Dried Fruit, Walnut
Almond, Dried Fruit, Milk Chocolate
Apple, Citrus, Milk Chocolate
Blackstrap Molasses, Cola, Cacao, Raisin
Milk Chocolate, Honey, Cola
Port, Black Currant, Cacao
Green Grape Orange Cherry
Black Cherry, Orange Zest, Caramel
Staff made stickers!
Exclusively designed for use with AeroPress Original, Go and Clear coffee makers, our paper micro-filters are an essential part of the brewing process. High quality paper absorbs bitter tasting oils while micro-sized holes filter and catch fine particles, stopping them from passing into the cup. Unlike French press coffee brewers, they allow for finer ground coffee and ensure a consistently smooth, grit-free cup of coffee. Not compatible with AeroPress XL coffee maker.
What's Included: AeroPress Go Chamber & Plunger: For brewing the most delicious coffee ever! Mug with Lid: Pack up your AeroPress Go into a sturdy, portable mug that you can take anywhere. Paper Micro-Filters: Includes 100 replacement AeroPress micro-filters. Micro-filters remove grit from your coffee, unlike other press-type coffee makers. Travel Filter Holder: The filter holder makes it easy to take micro-filters with you anywhere you go. Stirrer: Designed to be the perfect length for AeroPress Go. Scoop: Measures just the right amount of coffee for delicious, easy AeroPress Go recipes.
Staff made stickers!
Exclusively designed for use with AeroPress Original, Go and Clear coffee makers, our paper micro-filters are an essential part of the brewing process. High quality paper absorbs bitter tasting oils while micro-sized holes filter and catch fine particles, stopping them from passing into the cup. Unlike French press coffee brewers, they allow for finer ground coffee and ensure a consistently smooth, grit-free cup of coffee. Not compatible with AeroPress XL coffee maker.
What's Included: AeroPress Go Chamber & Plunger: For brewing the most delicious coffee ever! Mug with Lid: Pack up your AeroPress Go into a sturdy, portable mug that you can take anywhere. Paper Micro-Filters: Includes 100 replacement AeroPress micro-filters. Micro-filters remove grit from your coffee, unlike other press-type coffee makers. Travel Filter Holder: The filter holder makes it easy to take micro-filters with you anywhere you go. Stirrer: Designed to be the perfect length for AeroPress Go. Scoop: Measures just the right amount of coffee for delicious, easy AeroPress Go recipes.
Hear from our valued guests
This cafe is like your REI crowd meets industrial decor. Super chill and laidback cafe with plenty of seating and is much larger on the inside than you can imagine. Great place to do some work or just hangout over their awesome pastries and coffee!
Diesel has the absolute best breakfast sandwiches I have ever had in my entire life. I could not recommend getting the Joplin but swapping for garlic aoli more. Has not missed in about 10-15 visits. The atmosphere WILL raise your heartrate like 20bpm though, it is so insanely loud, chaotic and crowded. But honestly I understand, everyone wants Diesel for good reason. Coffee is decent 7.1/10 Matcha is ok 5.9/10 Food is the best around 9.7/10
Went to Mckinnon’s and saw this place down the street. Very pleasant surprise for good coffee and great sandwiches. Huge cafe, tons of seating and great menu. They also have an ice cream bar and photo booth. Awesome vibe inside. Had the orange blossom latte and the joplin sandwich as well as the pallet sandwich, both had really good flavors, the focaccia bread was perfect. The joplin was everything you need for a high quality mcgriddle experience. Worth the visit. 10/10
Diesel Cafe is almost always buzzing, it's a great place to meet friends or spend some time working solo (if you enjoy a busy atmosphere). The beverages and food are excellent, and I can't stop raving about the locally made Forge ice cream they serve. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, and the vibe is very LGBTQ+ friendly.
Diesel Café has a great vibe—cozy, welcoming, and perfect for hanging out or working. The staff are always friendly and make you feel right at home. The photo booth is a really fun and unique touch that makes the place stand out. Definitely one of my favorite spots in Somerville for coffee and good energy.
Diesel Cafe is easily one of the best spots in Somerville to hang out with friends or settle in to get some work done. The ambiance is great—it has a cool, industrial vibe that feels both high-energy and welcoming. The coffee is excellent, but the food really stands out too. I highly recommend the avocado toast on sourdough bread if you want something savory, and the sticky bun is an absolute must-try if you're looking for something sweet. Whether you’re meeting up with a group or just looking for a nice place to be productive, this is the spot to go!
Only downside to this place is the weird WiFi rules. You can only use it for 2 hours then afterwards you can’t use the WiFi for 56 hours … which I think is a bad idea. I can’t come here two days in a row because of the WiFi rule I guess. Otherwise I would … 🙃 I love their lattes and selection of beans. They have a wide variety of intelligentsia coffee beans which is really great for espresso. I liked their cardamom latte and their Vietnamese coffee. They have a lot of seating and ice cream too
This is literally my favorite café in the world. It’s always buzzing. The coffee is good and the environment is great. Vietnamese iced coffee is amazing.
My partner and I enjoyed our visit to Diesel while spending some days away in Boston. We found the cafe on Tiktok and were very intrigued by the vintage photo booth! We had a great experience. Although it was very busy, all of the staff were attentive and did not make us feel rushed in any way. We got the Viatnamese iced coffee and Iced Caramel Latte and both were great! Some things to note are you must order tokens for the photo booth at the register, we did not know this and had to stand in line twice. Also there is no ketchup! Overall, a fun lively cafe. We’ll definitely return for the photobooth.
A cozy café with a beautiful, stylish interior that makes it a perfect place to relax. There’s a wide selection of desserts to choose from, and the coffee is delicious. Definitely a great spot to sit back and enjoy the atmosphere.
Common questions about Diesel Cafe
Diesel Cafe is located at 257 Elm St, Somerville, MA 02144, MA 02144, United States.
You can reach Diesel Cafe by calling +1 617-629-8717.
Diesel Cafe has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 based on 1409 customer reviews.
Diesel Cafe features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet, Wheelchair-accessible car park.
Diesel Cafe features the following from the business: Identifies as Asian-owned, Identifies as LGBTQ+ owned, Identifies as women-owned.
Diesel Cafe features the following service options: Outdoor seating, Delivery, On-site services, Takeaway, Dine-in.
Diesel Cafe features the following highlights: Great coffee, Great tea selection.
Diesel Cafe features the following popular for: Breakfast, Lunch, Solo dining, Good for working on laptop.
Diesel Cafe features the following offerings: Coffee, Healthy options, Organic dishes, Quick bite, Vegan options, Vegetarian options.
Diesel Cafe features the following dining options: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dessert, Seating, Table service.
Diesel Cafe features the following amenities: Gender-neutral toilets, Restroom, Wi-Fi, Free Wi-Fi.
Diesel Cafe features the following atmosphere: Casual, Cozy, Lively, Trendy.
Diesel Cafe features the following crowd: Family friendly, Groups, LGBTQ+ friendly, Tourists, Transgender safe space, University students.
Diesel Cafe features the following planning: Accepts reservations.
Diesel Cafe features the following payments: Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments.
Diesel Cafe features the following children: Good for kids, High chairs.
Diesel Cafe features the following parking: Paid street parking, Difficult to find a space.
Diesel Cafe features the following pets: Dogs allowed outside.
Business Features
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